...JudahPraise Acheampong Debra Woodson Ap Seminar Tuesday October 23, 2017 Contrary to common belief depression is more than just being sad or having the blues one day. Affecting almost 350 million men, women, and children worldwide. It isn’t usually serious with the younger demographic but that's a entirely different story when it comes to elderly people. Depression affects 6 million Americans ages 65 and older. Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by a persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities usually causing significant impairment in daily life. It’s a common side effect of life although it isn’t a normal part of aging. It can be extremely detrimental to physical and mental health of senior citizens....
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...Assisted killing is a divisive issue in contemporary society for a number of reasons including political, economic, and religious factors. The concept of someone welcoming death is contradictory to basic human nature and it can be hard to initially come to terms with. The Right-to-Die movement cites the daunting possibility of a life filled with pain due to ailments and sickness and promotes assisted killing as a favorable alternative when quality of life is below a certain standard. Supporters of this cause also reference the staggering costs of the continued medical assistance needed simply to keep a person alive. Individuals who choose to live while battling terminal or long-term illness will often pay higher premiums for insurance and their...
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...downward spiral in the life of an elderly person, affecting his or her independence and quality of life” will also be addressed. (Course materials, syllabus, U o P.) Significance of Loss of Function Young adults do not think twice about walking to the mailbox, reading the newspaper, or fixing a cold drink or hot meal. Many older adults may also take these for granted. However, for some adults aged 65 or older, even standing can be difficult. Some of the difficulty older adults have in performing daily activities can be attributed to “normal” losses of muscle strength and changes people go through as a part of aging. According to Greiner, et al, “loss of activities in daily living refers to the inability to perform a function within the range considered to be normal for independent living.” This can include bathing, dressing, walking, standing, cooking, and many other activities that occur frequently. When it becomes difficult or impossible to perform some of these functions, the person loses some portion of independence. It becomes necessary to rely on others for those tasks that are difficult or impossible. For some older adults, losing any aspect of independence may affect their “quality” of life....
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...downward spiral in the life of an elderly person, affecting his or her independence and quality of life” will also be addressed. (Course materials, syllabus, U o P.) Significance of Loss of Function Young adults do not think twice about walking to the mailbox, reading the newspaper, or fixing a cold drink or hot meal. Many older adults may also take these for granted. However, for some adults aged 65 or older, even standing can be difficult. Some of the difficulty older adults have in performing daily activities can be attributed to “normal” losses of muscle strength and changes people go through as a part of aging. According to Greiner, et al, “loss of activities in daily living refers to the inability to perform a function within the range considered to be normal for independent living.” This can include bathing, dressing, walking, standing, cooking, and many other activities that occur frequently. When it becomes difficult or impossible to perform some of these functions, the person loses some portion of independence. It becomes necessary to rely on others for those tasks that are difficult or impossible. For some older adults, losing any aspect of independence may affect their “quality” of life....
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...Should Assisted Suicide be Legal? Stefan C Sooter HUM/115 October 12, 2015 Beverly Sessoms Should Assisted Suicide be Legal? As I type this opening paragraph for my essay, I should precursor this by saying that I'm beginning this piece as a non-advocate for assisted suicide. It's not just about my religious views, but also for the fact that I believe that with modern medical miracles, anything can happen. If you tap out of the fight too early, you may never know what could have happened. I understand that the situation can feel hopeless, and one can be in so much pain that one may feel like they can't take anymore, but I've witnessed first-hand desperate situations turn into miracles. My father was diagnosed in 2009 with Stage 3 Esophageal cancer. The chances of him living, especially at 65 years old, were thirty-three percent, at best. Today, he is one hundred percent in remission and living his life as a healthy senior man. That example alone is my reason for not believing in assisted suicide. A publication in the Evening Chronicle states that assisted suicide may be a dangerous law to pass. If legalized, it could set a precedent for those that are disabled or terminally ill to take their lives as to not be a burden to their family or friends (Anonymous, 2010). The author also goes on to discuss how legalizing assisted suicide could, "create pressure, particularly on those who are newly physically challenged, to end their lives. We should be fighting for proper health...
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...There are situations in life that can demand that we make split decisions. Some decisions are reversible whereas others, such as Physician Assisted Suicide, are concrete. While some view it as a solution or being a form of relief from intolerable pain, Physician Assisted Suicide should not be legalized. The reason for this is because patients shouldn’t make final decisions filtered by frustration. Other reasons are that Assisted Suicide can also give patients the idea that losing all hope is Ok. Although It’s fair to feel hopeless. The positive mindset can have great benefits to our health. Finally, many times it is the wrong approach to a much deeper problem. Hidden mind altering moods or emotions such as Depression can cause illogical reasoning. These are only a few reasons while Physician Assisted Suicide should be legalized. Frustration is an emotional state that a person experiences while under distress. It is also one of the many leading causes for attempting to find an “easy way out”....
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...The Search Story I often find myself pondering weird subjects when I lay in bed at night before falling asleep. My brain is beginning to shut down and my mind wanders to a place where philosophical musings and far-fetched hypotheses swirl around my subconscious. Is there intelligent life elsewhere in the universe and if so, why have they not contacted us yet? What is dark matter exactly? Where did religion first come from? If I become a vegetable, is there a way I can die legally? It was this last thought that I posed to my coworker one day after it had popped into my head repeatedly. He told me that the idea is called Physician-Assisted Suicide and it’s illegal. This sparked a long conversation between us, but my curiosity wasn’t fully appeased after we moved on...
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...Physician Assisted Suicide “I still feel good enough, I still have enough joy. I still laugh and smile with my family and friends. This does not feel like the right time to go,” Brittney Maynard. In Oregon, there was a woman named Brittney Maynard. She was 29 years of age. She suddenly started to have severe headaches and became concerned and wanted to go see a doctor as soon as possible. Shortly after in May 2013, Maynard was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. She was married to her husband Dan Diaz, at the time she was diagnosed. The following year, in the spring of 2014 she was informed that she only had six or seven months to live. The thought of dying from terminally ill brain cancer and never having kids was heartbreaking to her. She wanted to leave her legacy behind. Maynard decided to move from the state of California to Oregon to participate in physician assisted suicide also known as the “Death with Dignity Act.” She was told that the process would be long and painful, and she did not want to go through that. So she went a doctor in Oregon that could prescribe her the lethal dose of the medication that would end her life immediately. She scheduled to end her life November 1, 2014, just three short days after her husband’s birthday. Brittney stated, “I know everyone has to morn, but I want him to remarry and have a family. Something I could never do for him.” In her saying that one can tell that she really loves Dan and wants only the best for him. Physician...
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...THE LAW ON ASSISTED SUICIDE On July 26, 1997, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously upheld decisions in New York and Washington state that criminalized assisted suicide. These decisions overturned rulings in the 2nd and 9th Circuit Courts of Appeal which struck down state statutes banning physician-assisted suicide. Those courts had found that the statutes, which prohibited doctors from prescribing lethal medication to competent, terminally ill adults, violated the 14th Amendment. In striking the appellate decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court found that there was no constitutional "right to die," but left it to individual states to enact legislation permitting or prohibiting physician-assisted suicide. (The full text of these decisions, plus reports and commentary, can be found at the Washinton Post web site.) As of April 1999, physician-assisted suicide is illegal in all but a handful of states. Over thirty states have enacted statutes prohibiting assisted suicide, and of those that do not have statutes, a number of them arguably prohibit it through common law. In Michigan, Jack Kevorkian was initially charged with violating the state statute, in addition to first-degree murder and delivering a controlled substance without a license. The assisted suicide charge was dropped, however, and he was eventually convicted of second degree murder and delivering a controlled substance without a license. Only one state, Oregon, has legalized assisted suicide. The Oregon statute...
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...Physician-assisted suicide, the good death, mercy killing, dignified death. These are all names given to EUTHANSIA. But what is euthanasia? And why is it considered to be controversial? Although the definitions used in discussions of euthanasia and assisted suicide can vary, the following are based on Special Senate Committee reports on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. Euthanasia is the deliberate act undertaken by one person with the intention of ending the life of another person in order to relieve that person’s suffering. Assisted suicide is the act of intentionally killing oneself with the assistance of another who provides the knowledge, means or both. Voluntary euthanasia occurs when the act is done in accordance with the wishes of a competent individual or a valid advance directive. Non-voluntary euthanasia occurs when the act is done without knowledge of the wishes of a competent individual or with respect to an incompetent individual. Involuntary euthanasia, which is indistinguishable from murder or manslaughter, occurs when the act is done against the wishes of a competent individual or a valid advance directive. When talking in terms of the person to die, a competent individual is capable of understanding the nature and consequences of the decision to be made and capable of communicating this decision. An incompetent individual is not capable of understanding the nature and consequences of the decision to be made, and/or is not capable of communicating the...
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...controversial topic throughout the United States; even though the word euthanasia means the “good death” many people oppose this option. There are different types of euthanasia: active, passive, and involuntary. Active is the most debated because it involves intentionally injecting the patient with a lethal substance in order to take their life whereas passive euthanasia is denying means of artificial life and letting nature take its course. The biggest argument with passive euthanasia is the idea that patients who are brain dead have the chance of being revived, but this is seldom achieved. Involuntary is using euthanasia against the patient’s wishes which should be the only form of euthanasia that could be considered murder. Activists debate whether taking someone’s life is right or wrong based on religious concerns or health care practices and many voice a strong opinion. Although Oregon is the only state in America with legal practices of euthanasia, assisted suicide is carried out behind the scenes in other states as well. Many pro-life activists are against the practice of taking a life because they believe it is murder, but helping someone be at peace is virtuous. Euthanasia should be legalized for the sake of the patient, the sake of the physicians in the United States, and because euthanasia cannot be considered murder given that it is the patients’ choice. One major reason euthanasia should be legalized is because people who are faced with the choice of euthanasia...
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...Nicole Spates HLT-305 Magdeline Chornick 2 -11- 2015 Dear Mrs. Johnson , During your last visit we discussed the prognosis for your advanced breast cancer diagnosis and the reality that all treatment options have been exhausted. During our discussion your major concern was that you felt your pain is no longer completely controlled and you were only living to die. At that time you expressed a desire to travel to Holland and participate in its physician- assisted suicide program. As your primary care doctor and oncologist for the past fifteen years I am very empathetic and very concerned not only with your physical health but your emotional health and experiences as well. Even though we have exhausted all therapeutic treatment options; I would really like for you consider hospice care here in the United States. Because I truly believe that hospice care can provide comfort and support to you, family, and friends. Hospice care is designed for those who are nearing the end of life. All care services are provided by a team of health care professionals who maximize comfort for a terminally ill patients by reducing pain and addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. To help families, hospice care also provides counseling, respite care and practical support. You are considering traveling to another country to end your life but if decide to stay here hospice gives you the option to receive this care in your home. In addition to hospice care...
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...be for or against today’s issues issues. One major issue in today’s world is physician assisted suicide. When people think about physician assisted suicide, they think primarily about five things; they ask what is it, what are the facts, who’s choice is it, what are the development in health care, and where can this lead? What is physician assisted suicide? Physician assisted suicide, also known as PAS, is when a physician provides the necessary means or information to a patient to kill himself/herself. However, the patient is the one who actually performs the act. People often get physician assisted suicide confused with euthanasia. Euthanasia is when the physician does both actions for the patient; the physician provides the means and performs the means. After people realize what physician assisted...
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...Running head: ASSISTED LIVING OR NURSING HOME page # 1 Which is Best, Assisted Living Facility OR Nursing Home for Your Loved Ones? FreidaWeatherspoon Moody November 27, 2012 Columbia Southern University Professor Monica Saniz MBA 5652 Research Methods Introduction The improved life expectancy has given rise to a sizeable elderly population in all the developed societies of the world (Joseph, 2001).Today’s fast moving technological age has made time a scarce commodity, resulting in less care and time being devoted to the elderly members of the family. This has in turn created a host of problems for these senior members who includes but are not limited to loneliness, anxiety, depression and the resultant loss of self-confidence. Many families with aged parents or other relatives may at some point of time find themselves considering long term care solutions for their aging relatives such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The Assisted Living Federation of America defines Assisted Living as “ a combination of housing, personalized supportive services, and healthcare designed to meet the individual needs of persons who require help with the activities of daily living but who do not require the skilled medical care provided by a nursing home” (James, 2004). The daily activities for which people need help include eating, bathing, dressing, getting to and using bathroom, getting out of bed or chair and the activities which require...
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...Head: CRUZAN V. DIRECTOR, MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH To Die or Not to Die: That is the Question – But Who Decides? Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health Paula Folder St. Leo University Abstract On January 11, 1983, at approximately 12:50 a.m., Nancy Cruzan died. At approximately 1:10 a.m. paramedics started cardiopulmonary resuscitation and at 1:11 a.m. they commenced advanced life support procedures, including intubation and intravenous infusions. By 1:13 a.m. Nancy had essentially been brought back to life; she exhibited a faint heart beat and spontaneous breathing. Nancy was rendered incompetent as a result of severe injuries sustained during an automobile accident. Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Health Department became the first end-of-life case involving a vegetative patient; the Supreme Court recognized a common law right and a federal constitutional right to refuse life-sustaining medical treatment, including nutrient and hydration. The court based the Cruzan’s authority to act for Nancy on “her expressed thoughts at the age of twenty-five in a serious conversation with a housemate friend that if sick or injured she would not wish to continue her life unless halfway normally.” The Cruzan’s endured a great deal of psychological, financial and medical consequences for seven years in...
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